One of the primary goals of The Earth Smart Store is to purchase as many products from locally made sources as possible.   The new world economy will be based on what can be done regionally and locally.  We are convinced that as the price of oil climbs once again, it will become more and more expensive to ship things long distances.   As the human race wakes up to the fact that we can’t keep pouring carbon dioxide into our atmosphere, locally made products will make more and more sense.  The most important reason is that money that remains in the community, benefits the community as a whole.  

We currently work with a local crafstman to convert old growth Barn Wood into useful furniture, purchase environmentally friendly stains and wood protectants from a local source, and have unique candles and soaps all made locally.  Our goal is to continue to expand the local offerings until most of our store is filled with locally manufactured products.

This may sound like a plea for customers, but is intended to make a more important point.   The  community has been outstanding supporting our company and the green products we represent.   I had a customer come into our store and make the following statement this week (I appreciate the honest feedback):  “You have great, environmentally friendly products in this store, which are affordable, but I have to tell you that unfortunately I often will pick up a non-green product at a place like CostCo simply for convenience because I am there.” 

I understand the customers point.  We all lead busy lives and convenience drives many of our decisions.  My concern is less that they weren’t shopping at my store and more that in order for the products we sell to become mainstream products someday, people will have to choose environmentally friendly products over those offered by the big box stores.  Economics drive decisions in boardrooms.   My hope is that many of the products we sell today become ordinary products in the future.  If that happens it will mean that our society has moved to a much more sustainable way of living. 

   The difference between the big box store products and those in The Earth Smart Store is that many of them are made by local craftsman, all are environmentally friendly either in material choice, amount of energy used to make them or the method they were manufactured.   The more people choose to buy these types of products over those made by unsustainable methods and materials, the faster we will shift our culture to one which is more sustainable. 

I won’t lie to you.  I do hope our company is part of that revolution.  It’s my passion and it’s all about making simple choices.